According to many of the game’s aficionados, football is “the ultimate team sport.” Fans rave about the individual matchups the game provides, but it’s the factions on the team that make NFL franchises what they are. Corps such as the Los Angeles Rams “Fearsome Foursome” defensive line, the Pittsburgh Steelers “Steel Curtain” linebackers, and the Cowboys bulldozing offensive line of the ‘90s contributed mightily toward their team’s success.
To further highlight the importance of group efforts, I’m working on a series entitled Boisterous Brigades. During this sequence, I will rank and breakdown the NFL’s premier duos, corps, tandems, and fronts. To continue the series, let’s dissect the league’s top 5 receiving corps right now.
It’s no question that passing rules in today’s game. The aerial attack begins with the quarterback, but it concludes with the wide receivers. With its position ever so evolving, tight ends have taken on more of the pass-catching role instead of the traditional blocking role. In certain offenses, the running back is utilized to receive the ball out of the backfield or in the slot.
With several teams improving on the outside this offseason, ranking them for top-tier classification was interesting. The following list of corps is ordered by an individual’s statistical production and how deep the respective teams are at the skill positions, starting with the actual wide receivers.
1. Denver Broncos: Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, Emmanuel Sanders, Julius Thomas
Peyton Manning capped off the greatest statistical season for a quarterback in NFL history. Throwing for single-season records in yards (5,477) and touchdowns (55), Manning further warmed his eventual spot in Canton. Despite carrying the offense, he needed his wideouts to help pad his stats. First off is Demaryius Thomas. Receiving for 2,800 yards and 24 touchdowns in the last two years, Thomas has established himself as one the league’s premier targets. Last offseason, the Broncos added the reliable Wes Welker to the mix. Although his reception numbers decreased, he managed to obtain the first 10-touchdown campaign of his career. Eric Decker—also with 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns since 2012—left for the Jets in free agency. In his place, Denver acquired Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders to bring in the downfield, speed element to the offense. In just 14 games, Julius Thomas caught 65 passes for 788 yards and 12 scores; his outburst has placed him into the elite tight end discussion already. The Broncos are indeed confident in Montee Ball’s ability to carry the ground game, but Denver goes as their passing game goes.
2. Washington Redskins: Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson, Andre Roberts, Jordan Reed
Robert Griffin III took the league by storm in his rookie season with the Read-Option offense; his effectiveness running the ball helped crown him Rookie of the Year in 2012. Limited in his mobility last season due to knee ailments, Griffin struggled mightily. With new head coach Jay Gruden, RG3 will be asked to become more of a pocket passer; the revamped receiving corps will help his transition. Coming from Indy, Pierre Garcon has made a positive impact on the Skins’ passing attack. He only played 10 games in 2012, but the team was 9-1 when Garcon was in the lineup. Last year, he finished with 113 receptions for 1,346 yards. Averaging 17.2 yards per catch in six seasons with Philly, gamebreaker DeSean Jackson will look to continue to blow the top off defenses. Playing behind Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd in Arizona, Andre Roberts will continue to be a productive slot receiver in DC. Tight end Jordan Reed is expected to dominate the middle of the field this season. All of these weapons will take immense pressure off of Alfred Morris and RG3’s legs.
3. San Francisco 49ers: Anquan Boldin, Michael Crabtree, Stevie Johnson, Vernon Davis
Now with Stevie Johnson, the 49ers have a top-end receiving corps. Fresh off a Super Bowl victory with Baltimore, Anquan Boldin came to San Fran and tallied 85 receptions for 1,179 yards and seven scores. In just one season, he has given the toughness and physicality the Niners passing game lacked. Breaking out with 85 catches for 1,105 yards and nine touchdowns in 2012, Michael Crabtree has proven to be a dominant receiver when healthy, regardless of what Richard Sherman may say. Surpassing 76 catches and 1,000 yards each year from 2010-2012, Stevie Johnson was a trusted target in Buffalo. Now playing for a winning franchise composed of better talent, he will continue to produce further. Not used to the same capacity as a Jimmy Graham or a Rob Gronkowski, Vernon Davis still remains a top five tight end. Davis has amassed 40-plus receptions and 500-plus yards in six of his eight NFL seasons. Coming up huge in big games, fans out in the Bay Area will expect Vernon to stay on top of his game.
4. Atlanta Falcons: Julio Jones, Roddy White, Harry Douglas, Jacquizz Rodgers
When the Matt Ryan-Mike Smith era began in 2008, the Falcons were a running team. Michael Turner playing at a Pro Bowl level made Ryan’s rookie season smoother. Three years later, Atlanta traded up to get Julio Jones in an effort to spread out the offense. By 2012, Jones became an elite wide receiver. His 1,200 yards on 79 catches and 10 touchdowns were significant in the Falcons boasting the league’s sixth-best passing offense in his sophomore campaign. Roddy White is certainly no slouch himself, as he puts up big numbers when he is healthy. White easily surpassed 1,000 receiving yards each year from 2007-2012 for the Falcons. He was bothered by nagging injuries last season, but look for him to return to his dominant form now that he is healthy. Even with Jones injured for much of 2013, the team’s passing game finished seventh overall, thanks to veteran Harry Douglas. Often overlooked in his career, Douglas successfully filled in for Julio with career highs in receptions (85), yards (1,067), and yards per game (66.7). Halfback Jacquizz Rodgers has even assisted Atlanta’s aerial attack. Last season, Rodgers snagged 52 catches for 341 yards (he caught 53 balls for 402 yards in 2012). Averaging 7.4 yards a catch for his career, he has shown to be a handy utility player. With all the talent, the Falcons place fourth because they no longer have tight end Tony Gonzalez. As a guy who surpassed the 70-catch mark in 11 straight seasons, the team will miss the future Hall of Famer’s consistency.
5. Indianapolis Colts: Reggie Wayne, T.Y. Hilton, Hakeem Nicks, Dwayne Allen, Coby Fleener
Being that Pep Hamilton is the offensive coordinator, the Colts offense approaches the game conservatively. A revamped receiving corps will force Hamilton to follow in Bruce Arians’ footsteps and spread out the offense. As a batch of pass catchers flying under the radar, Indy’s coterie will look to explode in 2014. The corps is led by “Mr. Reliable,” Reggie Wayne. The six-time Pro Bowler will look to return to his top-flight form after suffering an injury. Big-play track-star T.Y. Hilton will build upon his 82 catches and 1,083 yards from last season. Having two talented tight ends in Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener in the lineup will cause issues for linebackers and safeties. When Hakeem Nicks gets his body right, he should return to his 2011 postseason form when he caught 28 passes for 444 yards and four touchdowns—including a 10-catch, 109-yard Super Bowl. The crucial component for this bunch is health. Allen, Wayne, and Nicks missed a combined 25 games last season. With a suspect backfield, Andrew Luck and company will have to lead Indianapolis to another playoff run.
Honorable Mentions
Chicago Bears: I understand that Chicago has its modern-day “Monsters of the Midway” in Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. They also have tight end Martellus Bennett coming off a career season. The Bears even have Matt Forte, who is one of the NFL’s best receiving backs. Unfortunately, the lack of depth at the wide receiver position keeps them outside of the top five.
Detroit Lions: Along with Chicago, Detroit is missing that eye-opening No. 3 receiver after Golden Tate. They have a potential three-headed monster at the tight end spot with Eric Ebron, Joseph Fauria, and Brandon Pettigrew. Ultimately, defenses will spend most of their time trying to defend Calvin Johnson.
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